Why Peace & Conflict Studies at Guilford?
Peace and conflict studies melds two related fields of study: conflict resolution and peace studies, in a complementary, creative interaction. By nature interdisciplinary, peace and conflict studies draws on Guilford’s Quaker Heritage and encourages students to seek the roots of situations of injustice and oppression, exploring nonviolent social change and emphasizing each individual’s search for truth within different levels of community.
Students investigate central concepts in peace research and learn to analyze the interrelation between personal, local and global levels of conflict. Through careful consideration and practical problem solving, they examine the holistic relationship between personal and social change and evaluate structured modes of conflict resolution as well as creative nonviolent activism.
Throughout their inquiries, students build skills that help them to solve problems of violence and conflict, to listen carefully and caringly to others in the midst of conflict and to contribute to organizing groups and actions concerned with social change, conflict resolution and transformation.
